Exercising-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. N. GOODMAN.

EXBRGISING MACHINE.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. N. GOODMAN.

EXEROISING MACHINE.

No. 341,231. Patented May 4, 1886.

:m I I ct I 7% llNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL N. GOODHAN, ()F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXERClSlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 3%1231, dated May 4-, 1886.

Application filed February 523, 1886. Serial No. 102,853. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL N. GOODMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain lmprovements in Exercising Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of exercising apparatus in which an inflated bag or ball is supported at about the height of a mans head bymcans of upper andlower flexible cords and straps, the object of my invention being to provide an exercising device of this character with a supporting structure or carrier whichwill dispense with the necessity for permanent attachments to the floor or ceiling, and will enable the apparatus to be set up in any desired portion ofa room or apartment, or permit it to be readily transported from place to place.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exercising apparatus and a carrying or supporting structure there for in accordance with my.inventiou. Fig. 2 is a side view on a larger scale than Fig. 1; and Figs. 8 and 4, diagrams on a reduced scale, showing modifications of my invention.

An inflated rubber ball or bag supported at about the height of a mans head by means of upper and lower elastic cords and straps is an exercising device now much in vogue, the ball being struck by the fists, and being caused to return under the influence of the elastic cords.

Usually the device consists simply of the inflated ball or bag. A, the upper and lower elastic cords, B 13, connected thereto, and upper and lower straps, D D, connected to screw eyes or hooks secured to the floor and ceiling of the room in which the device is set up. The blows upon the ball are transmitted to the fioor and ceiling with such force as to cause shocks or jars, which prove a serious annoyance, and are frequently a source of damage to the building, in the way of loosening and shaking down the plasterin The improved supporting structure or carrier forming the subject of my invention dispenses with these floor and ceiling connections, and consists, essentially, of a heavy base, F, a post or standard, G, secured to and projecting upward therefrom, and upper and lower bars, H, secured to and projecting from said upright post or standard at such relative distauces above the base as to provide a proper means of attachment for the upper and lower straps, D D.

In the present instance the bars H have at their inner ends sockets (1, adapted to the post G, so that said bars are adjustable to any desired height, being secured in position after adjustment by means of a set-screw, b, and the straps D are adapted to eyes (2 on screwstems f, which pass through openings in caps g 011 the outer ends of the bars H, and are pro vided with nuts '5 above and below the cap, so as to permit the tension of the elastic cords B to be variedas desired.

In order to stiffen the post G, and prevent the upper end of the same from vibrating under the influence of the blows delivered upon the ball A, guys or extend from the eyes at said upper end of the post to eyes upon the base F, these guys having suitable tighteningnuts, a.

It will be evident that a supporting structure such as described effectually overcomes the objections hereinbefore mentioned as incident to the usual method of supporting the ball, the improved structure being self-supporting and portable, so that it can be readily set up wherever desired and stowed outiof the way when not in use.

To render the device more compact when not in use, the bars H may, if desired, be hinged so as to fold in against the standard G. The supporting structure may have twov posts instead of one, as shown in Fig. 3, for instance, each post having a separate base, as shown by full lines in said figure, or a single base common to both posts being used, as shown by dotted lines. The single post is preferred, however, as permitting greater freedom of movement on the part of the person using the apparatus. For gymnasium use each post may have a series of pairs of projecting bars, H, as shown in Fig. 4, for instance, so that the apparatus can be used by more than one person.

The post G and bars H are preferably of wrought-iron pipe, so as to possess the desired lightness without sacrifice of strength.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of the ball A and its elastic attachments with a selfsupporting structure having a weighted base portion and upper and lower bars, to which said attachments are connected, all substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the ball and its elastic attachments with a supporting structure comprising a weighted base a vertical post, and projecting bars, to the outer ends of which said attachments are connected, all substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the ball and its elasticattachnients with a supporting structure comprising the weighted base, the upright post, projecting bars carrying the elastic attachnients of the hall, and guys, whereby the 

